Community
- Get connected with family support networks (e.g. Extend-A-Family, Partners for Planning, etc.)
- Encourage your child to try new things and new experiences through recreation, social programs and school (e.g. camps, social groups, friends at school)
- Look at different directories for new idea, services, or programs that you can access (e.g. Connectability, City Kids or Surrey Place’s Community Resource Directory)
- Communicate with your child(ren) to see what they like to do, then find opportunities for them to participate in their interests
- Take a look at camps in January of each year to plan for the summer (e.g. use the ‘Find Your Perfect Camp’ function on the Ontario Camps Association website)
- Get outside! (E.g. get the Easter Seals Access 2 Entertainment card for movies with your child, or get the TTC Support Person card to get on the bus with your child for free)
Funding
- Apply for funding (Assistance to Children with Severe Disabilities, Special Services at Home, etc.)
- Take a look at Holland Bloorview’s Funding and Financial Assistance Programs Guide for families who have children with disabilities – online and in the resource centre
- Think about the future (e.g. Community Living’s Inspiring Possibilities Guide on estate planning, or RDSP)
Health
- Find a doctor in your area through the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Ontario website
- Refer to CCAC (Community Care Access Centres) to get access to a Care Coordinator
- Encourage your child to talk to someone if they need to – the same goes for caregivers (e.g. The What’s Up Walk-In Clinic for walk-in counselling)
- Try Parent Groups or Sibling Workshops (e.g. Extend-A-Family, Holland Bloorview Parent Talks, or Sibshops by Autism Ontario and Community Living)
School
- Find resources online to help you understand the system. (e.g. Take a look at the Special Needs Roadmaps or Easter Seals Kids at School online)
- Make an ‘All About Me’ Binder for your child to keep at school (containing need-to-know information), or update your child’s ‘All About Me’ Binder at the beginning of each year. (E.g. try the Keeping It Together (KIT) toolkit if you need some ideas)
Self-Care
- Involve your child in decision-making as much as possible. Encourage them to be an advocate too!
- Take a look at respite services in your area (e.g. www.respiteservices.ca or Safehaven) for caregivers
Transition
- Connect with Service Providers for Person Directed Planning (i.e. Corbrook, Community Living Toronto)
- Set short and long term goals with your child and family
Last updated by a Family Support Specialist in August 2018
